Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian woman astronaut in space and she was one of the seven astronauts who lost their lives in the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Please find below the names of the other astronauts who lost their lives along with her:-
- Rick D. Husband
- William C. McCool
- Michael P. Anderson
- Ilan Ramon
- David M. Brown
- Laurel B. Clark
On 1st February, 2003 the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded when the space shuttle was on the way to entering the Earth’s atmosphere at a height of 63 kilometers from Earth after completing it’s 16-day space journey.
This disaster was the last disaster in human space missions. The space shuttle exploded to pieces 16 minutes before landing time.
About Kalpana Chowla, her education and achievements:-
- She was born on 17th March, 1962 in Karnal, Haryana.
- Kalpana Chowla was a certified flying instructor for getting licenses of airplanes, gliders and commercial aviation. She was the first Indian woman to travel in space in 372 hours and completed 252 rounds around the earth.
- In 1982, she has completed her B.Tech in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College.
- In 1983 she got married an American flying Instructor as well as an aviation author whose name is Jean- Pierre Harrison.
- In 1984, she has completed her Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas, U.S.A.
- In 1994, Kalpana Chawla was selected as an astronaut candidate. After getting one year training to becoming crew, she worked with Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and tested software for the space shuttles.
- In 1997 she got a chance to fly in Space Shuttle Columbia as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. This shuttle made 252 orbits of the earth in just over two weeks.
- In 1988, she got a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado.
- Due to her hard work and devotion in a specific subject, in 2000, she got a chance to work at NASA’s Ames Research Center. Just after getting adequate training from NASA, she became a crew representative for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches in 2000.
- The same year Kalpana Chawla was selected for her second voyage into space and worked as a mission specialist on STS-107. Despite delaying this mission several times, finally it has launched in 2003. During their 16-days flight, the crew completed more than 80 experiments.
Qualities of Kalpana Chawla:-- She is the role model of million of young women in India and across the world.
- As she had an an incredible and inspiring life, her life is an inspiration to women all over the globe.
- She was extraordinary courageous and hard working women.
- She was a source of encouragement to women across the world.
- Considering her wide range contributions towards Space Industry, she is widely regarded as a National Hero in India.
Kalpana Chawla’s contribution towards the space industry will always be remembered for ever and her memories will always been remain in the heart and mind of the entire Indians.